In another major reshuffle at Warner Bros, the upcoming sequels to 'Aquaman' and 'Shazam!' will now have later release dates than previously planned.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the James Wan-directed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' has been pushed back more than eight months, from March 17, 2023, to December 25, 2023, the studio announced on Wednesday. 'Aquaman and the Lost City' will see the return of Jason Momoa as the titular superhero, as well as Patrick Wilson's Orm Marius and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta.
It was recently revealed that Ben Affleck's Batman will return for 'Aquaman 2'. The first 'Aquaman' was a major earner for Warner Bros./DC, grossing more than USD 1 billion at the global box office.
Apart from that, 'Shazam! sequel Fury of the Gods', which was meant to come out in December of this year, has landed 'Aquaman 2's' old date, March 17, 2023, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
'Shazam!', released in 2019, was a modest hit by superhero standards with USD 365.9 million, but was well-liked and praised for bringing a youthful energy to the genre. It told the story of a foster kid named Billy Batson who transformed into the hero Shazam.
The release date changes come amid tumult for other DC properties, most notably 'Batgirl'. The once HBO Max-bound movie was shelved and will not be released on any platform, despite being completely finished and having a USD 90 million price tag.
A slew of other changes and additions were announced by Warner Bros for their upcoming theatrical release calendar, including taking 'Salem's Lot' off its April 21, 2023, date. No new date has been announced.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, other changes include dating New Line's 'House Party' redux for December 9, 2022, 'Evil Dead Rise' for April 21, 2023, and 'The Nun 2' for September 8, 2023.
(ANI)
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.